FORTY-HOUR WEEK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23339, 6 May 1939, Page 17

FORTY-HOUR WEEK

ECONOMIC RESEARCH ENGLISH STUDENT'S PLAN WORKING AMONG THE PEOPLE —"With a view to obtaining material for a paper on behalf of a private research organisation in England, Mr. L. Nathan, of London, arrived by the Awatea yesterday to conduct an economic research of the operation and effects of the 40-hour week in New Zealand. Mr. Nathan said he would study the industrial life of New Zealanders, and interview trade union leaders, workers and Government officials.

" I am also hopeful of working in various occupations all over New Zealand," said Mr. Nathan. "In this way, I believe I should obtain the truest picture of the principles of shorter hours. There are certain trades, to which I will pay particular attention, and if I cannot get jobs in them, I will get work as neijr to them as possible."

Mr. Nathan said that speakers in Hydo Park nowadays cited New Zealand as much as they did Russia as an example of how democratic socialism would work. Representatives of the Labour movement were in agreement with what the New Zealand Government was doing, but the capitalist classes were antagonistic and doubtful as to how long conditions would last as the}' existed. " After all, New Zealand is only a small self-contained country," said Mr. Nathan. "It is principally a primary producer, and depends extensively on the London market, the conditions of which are beyond Its control." Mr. Nathan, who has relatives in Wellington, said he was formerly engaged in agricultural work in Berkshire. He intends to stay in New Zealand some months.